What if the custodial parent is receiving, or wants to receive, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) benefits?
When a custodial parent applies for TANF benefits, he or she will automatically receive child support and paternity establishment services through the Office of the Attorney General. If a parent is receiving TANF, the law requires him or her to cooperate with the Office of the Attorney General. How does paternity establishment affect custody and visitation? Each parent has the duty to financially and emotionally support his or her child. Each parent has the right to visitation, except under exceptional circumstances. Child support and visitation will be ordered by a court. Both parents must obey the court order-a parent cannot refuse to pay child support because the other parent is refusing visitation, and vice versa. Should parents establish paternity if they are getting along and the father is helping support the child? Yes. Even if the father agrees to help support the child now, he may change his mind, become disabled, or even die. In most cases, unmarried parents can get benefits
